Faculty and Staff in lab coats and scrubs stand on the balcony of the new health building

Health Campus expands with opening of DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health

Story by Dottie Barnes / Photos by Valerie Hendrickson unless noted

Grand Valley students are utilizing advanced simulation technology and interactive laboratories in the new Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on the Health Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

The five-story, 166,000-square-foot health center at 333 Michigan St. on the Medical Mile opened in May. It is the third and flagship building on the Health Campus, joining the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.

The DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health includes one of the largest interprofessional, comprehensive, state-of-art simulation centers in Michigan.

The new health building is helping Grand Valley accommodate expanding programs in emerging and growing fields at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Its 17 classrooms and 12 interactive laboratories are equipped to create interprofessional team environments and encourage collaboration.

Daniel and Pamella DeVos were the lead donors for the project, with another 700 donors generously providing more than $20 million to help make the building a reality. The State of Michigan provided $29 million for the $70 million project.

The DeVoses said the new center is filled with the latest technology and learning labs that will further enhance the tremendous health care educational experience at Grand Valley.

“This building’s mission is focused on preparing future practitioners to work together – in partnership – in a clinical setting for the benefit of the patient,” Dan DeVos said. “The quality of care in our region depends on how we prepare the health care professionals of tomorrow and we’re eager to have this facility play a role in students reaching their full potential and patients receiving exemplary care in local health care facilities.”

A woman kneels and looks at a plastinated heel

A student looks at plastinated specimens.

Chihuly glass sculpture in blue and white

A group of students in medical scrubs and face masks stand around a table

Woman stands wearing a medical coat, stethoscope and a face mask in a room with an image projected on the walls around her

Classrooms with plastinated specimens, interactive walls and floors immerse students in various scenarios.

State-of-the-science spaces in the building include electronic 3D modeling and imaging of the body and its organs, plastinated specimens, a virtual anatomy table and classrooms with interactive walls and floors.

“Our simulation spaces were designed to be forward thinking and relevant for the next 25 to 50 years,” said Katie Branch, director of simulations. “The spaces have room to grow and the technology in them is cutting-edge, so it will be relevant in the future.”

Branch said with the addition of 28,375 square feet of simulation space in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, Grand Valley now has a total of more than 67,800 square feet of simulation space on the Health Campus.

Branch said the virtual anatomy table can be programmed to show not only normal anatomy but a long list of pathological conditions. “Students are able to look at a wide spectrum of human ailments,” she said. “Students can electronically dissect every layer of the skin and muscle down to the bone.”

Nursing student Doreen Siriboe-Achampong described the new technology as “absolutely phenomenal.”

“We don’t have to visualize scenarios; this new technology mirrors what happens in the clinical setting,” said Siriboe-Achampong. “The new simulation will allow students to flourish.”

Alyssa Burke, a student in the Physician Assistant Studies program, said: “It’s exciting to have access to interactive simulations that allow us to practice care in a variety of environments. It builds confidence.”

The Kirkhof College of Nursing is housed in the building, bringing faculty and students together to accommodate collaborative and interactive learning.

A dedication ceremony for the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health is scheduled for November 3.